Furniture



Sept. 10. 1940. J. H. POLLARD FURNITURE Filed April 23, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 10. 1940- ,1. H.'POLLARD I 2,214,204

FURNITURE .Filed April 23., .1938 s Sheets-Sheet 2 awuc/wtom c/ofm H pol/arc p 1940' J. H. POLLARD 2,214,204

FURNITURE Filed April 23, 1938 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Sept. 10, 1940 Nil SAT 11;

FURNITURE John H. Pollard, Dallas, Tex.

Application April 23, 1938, Serial No 203,842

l Claims.

whereby it may be utilized as a serving tray for A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved chair and table combination wherein the chairs are disposed on opposite sides :aof the table in facing and offset relationship, whereby persons seated in said chairs may face each other and enjoy a certain amount of privacy; and also whereby sufficient leg room for comfort is provided for each person.

30 Another object of the invention is to provide an improved article of furniture, of the character described, wherein the table top may be divided into sections, each of which is individually mounted, whereby each section may be employed as a serving tray to bring the order to each patron; the arrangement being particularly adaptable for cafeterias, and the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved article of furniture wherein two chairs are connected together in facing and oiTset relation, together with a tray support disposed between the chairs, whereby individual trays may be mounted in the support so as to form a removable table top in front of the persons seated in the chairs.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved piece of furniture wherein chairs are disposed around the table top, two of said chairs being rigidly connected together, with the other two chairs being pivotally connected to the stationary chairs, the pivotal arrangement facilitating seating.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features ofthe invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a combination table and chair, constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is an isometric view of the upper end of the standard, with the table top and ash tray removed,

Figure 3 is a similar view with the ash tray in place,

Figure 4 is a similar View with the table top in place, portions of-said top being broken away to more clearly show the supporting brackets,

Figure 5 is a vertical, sectional view taken on the line 55 of Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a partial isometric view of another form of the invention,

Figure 7 is a vertical, sectional view taken on the line 'll of Figure 6,

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 1 showin still another form of the invention,

Figure 9 is an isometric view of the underside of one section of the table, which section is em ployed in the form shown in Figure 8,

Figure 10 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view taken on the line 10-48 of Figure 8,

Figure 11 is an isometric view of a modification of Figure 9 and showing a tray which may be employed with this form of the invention,

Figure 12 is an isometric View of a modification of the invention,

Figure 13 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view taken on the line l3l3 of Figure 12,

Figure 14 is a partial vertical, sectional View taken on the line l ll4 of Figure 13,

Figure 15 is an isometric View of another form, and

Figure 16 is an isometric View, showing four chairs around the table.

In the drawings, the numeral H3 designates a chair, which may be constructed of wood, or any other suitable material. The chair may be of any size in accordance with the requirements and a second chair H, of the same construction, is located so as to face the chair it in offset relation thereto. A central support or panel 12 has its ends secured to the chairs Ill and H and serves .50 to rigidly connect said chairs together.' As is clearly shown in Figure 1, the chairs are disposed in facing relation and are located on opposite sides of the support or panel l2. It is preferable that the panel be provided with upwardly ex- 55.

tending projections i3 at each end thereof and these projections form sides for the chairs ii! and IL The panel I2 is formed with an upwardly extending standard or support it and this support or standard is located between the forward edges of the chairs. A flat table top it? is adapted to be supported upon the upper end of the standard I4 and said top extends at substantially a right angle to the standard, whereby when in position, the top lies between the chairs Iii and H. The particularshape of the top is subject to variation, but it is preferable that said top be cut away, as shown at l6, said out out portion being located directly in front of the chair so as to provide additional room for the person seated in the chair.

For removably mounting the table top E5 on the standard [4, the latter is provided with a U-shaped metallic strip I! which engages over and is secured to the upper end thereof by suitable screws il'. The central portion of the strip may be formed with an upstanding block i8 which is preferably made integral therewith. An ash tray i9 is formed with a depending skirt 2@, which has its lower portion slotted at 2i, whereby the tray may be engaged over the block is and strip I! so as to be removably supported on the upper end of the standard. The length of the block is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the skirt 20 and prevents lateral displacement of the tray longitudinally of the upper end of the standard.

The table top l5 has a pair of brackets 2 fastened to its underside by suitable screws 23 and these brackets are adapted to engage the upper end of the standard l4. When the top is in position on the standard, the brackets are located one on each side of the ash tray i9, and extend in opposite directions therefrom. Each bracket comprises an elongate member which is offset at 24 and is then bent laterally to provide a supporting lug 25 which is in the same plane as the member. Longitudinal flanges 26 depend from the member and extend from one end thereof to a point spaced from the offset 24, whereby notches 2'! are formed (Figures 4 and 5). The notches have a width substantially equal to the width of the strap i! which engages over the top of the standard, whereby a snug engagement of the strap and standard in said notches is had.

When the brackets 22 are fastened to the underside of the table top I 5, it is'ob'vious that said top may be readily placed in position on. the standard. An opening 28 may be formed in the central portion of the top [5 so as to receive the ash tray I9; however, if desired, the topmay be solid in which case, the ash tray is removed before the top is positioned on the standard. The brackets 22 provide a rigid support for the top and make it possible to quickly and easily place the top upon, or remove the same from, the standard. When in place, the top is located between the chairs and forms a table in front of the persons seated in the chairs Id and ii. To facilitate handling of the top, a handle i5d may be fastened to the central portion of the top and when the top is in position on the standard, said handle overlies the ash tray to prevent removal of said tray,

The location of the chairs if} and H is such that the persons seated in said. chairs face each other, which is desirable and which affords the persons a certain amount of privacy. The offsetting of said chairs H3 and II gives each per' son sufficient room for his legs and also provides an arrangement whereby the chairs take up a minimum amount of space. Ordinarily, the table top If) is removed so that when the patron seats himself in the chair It or I I, said table top is not in position on the standard. However, the ash tray I9 is in place but, if desired, this, too, can be removed.

When the patron orders his food or refreshment, the same is brought to him on the table top 15 whch is utilized as the serving tray. The table, with the order thereon, is readily mounted on the standard M and serving of the order is thus greatly facilitated. When the patron leaves, it is only necessary to remove the entire table top l5 and return the same to the kitchen or fountain so that the dishes, glasses, etc., may be cleaned.

The removability of the table top not only facilitates serving due to the fact that it may be used as a serving tray, but it also prevents the next patron from having to be seated at a table, from which the used dishes have not been removed. In cafeterias, restaurants, and the like, it many times occurs that the next patron will be seated at a table before the waitress has had sufficient time to clear said table, with the result that the patron must wait until said table has been cleaned. This not only inconveniences the patron, but also makes a bad appearance. All of these disadvantages are overcome by making the table top removable, whereby when a patron has finished and leaves the chair, the waitress may lift the entire table top from the standard Hi and remove the same. In serving the next patron, either the same table top which has been cleaned or a similar top is placed on the standard with the order. Of course, it is manifest that any size top may be mounted on the standard M.

In Figures 6 and '7, a modified form of the invention is shown. In this form a supporting framework 38, preferably constructed of metallic tubing or rods, is secured to the standard M. This framework includes a substantially rectangular section A which is disposed in front of the chair iii with a similar section B located in front of the chair H. Each section is adapted to receive and support the usual shallow serving tray 3! and when said trays are in position within the sections, said trays form a table. With this arrangement, it will be manifest that each tray may be brought in separately with the individual order thereon. The trays may be formed with suitable handles, (not shown) to facilitate carrying the same.

Instead of employing the framework as shown in Figures 6 and '7, it is possible to form the table top in two sections 15a and 1517, as shown in Figures 3 to 10. Each section is provided with an angular bracket 32 which is bolted or otherwise secured to the underside of said section at the inner end thereof. The depending leg portion of the bracket is preferably cylindrical so as to fit within a tubular sleeve 33, which is secured to the side of the standard M. The upper end of the sleeve 33 is below the top of the standard, whereby when the angular bracket 32 is inserted within the sleeve, the top of the table section is slightly below or flush with the upper edge of the standard. With this arrangement, the inner edge of each section engages the side of the standard to further brace the connection between the parts. When the sections 15a and 15b are in position on the standard I4, they form a table top of substantially the same shape as the top i5 shown in Figure 1.

In place of the sections 15a and 1517, a tray 34, as shown in Figure 11, may be employed. This tray is the usual shallow serving tray and has the angular bracket 32 secured to its underside. The bracket is, of course, adapted to be engaged within the sleeve 33, whereby the tray is supported on the standard.

Another modification of the invention is shown in Figures 12 to 14, wherein a table top l5, similar to the top 15 in Figure 1, is employed. In this form the standard I4 has an ash tray 35 permanently secured to its upper edge at the central portion thereof. On each side of the ash tray, notches I80. are provided. These notches are adapted to receive supporting members I81), secured to the underside of the top 15. The top is provided with a central opening 36 and when the members 18b are inserted within the notches 3a, the ash tray 35 extends upwardly through the opening 36. With this arrangement, when the table top I5 is removed, a permanent ash tray 35 is located at the upper end of the standard. Therefore, before the patron is served, the table top 55 is not in position but is placed on the standard I4 when the order is brought to the patron. In the forms hereinbefore described, two chairs l and H have been shown. In Figure 15, a slightly modified construction is disclosed, wherein stools Ma and Ma are substituted for the chairs l0 and II. The stools are, of course, secured together in facing and ofiset relationship.

It might be desirable to seat four people around the table top 35 and, for this purpose, a structure as shown in Figure 16 may be employed. The construction of the chairs ID and H, as well as the table top I5, is substantially the same as is shown in Figure 1. In order to provide additional chairs, each chair I 0 and l i is formed with a sleeve 3'! which is secured to one of its outer corners. A chair It! is provided with an angular bracket 38 which is arranged to be inserted in the sleeve 31, whereby the chair I0 is pivotally connected to the chair Hi. A similar chair H is pivotally connected by the same arrangement to the chair H and thus seating space for four persons is provided. The pivotal connection between the chairs l0 and I0 and the chairs I! and H permit the chairs l0 and II to be swung outwardly so as to permit the persons who are to be seated in the chairs [0 and H to easily get to said chairs. After the persons are seated in the chairs l0 and II, the chairs I8 and II are swung to the position shown in Figure 16, and the persons who are to occupy these latter chairs may readily be seated.

Although the table top has been shown as removable, it would be possible to permanently fasten the same in position on the standard. Such construction would provide an improved article of furniture in that two persons may be comfortably seated in a minimum amount of space and due to the disposition of the chairs may enjoy private conversation. It is particularly noted that the ash tray shown on the upper end of the standard may be omitted and another article, such as a beach umbrella, flower vase or holder, etc., substituted therefor.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A chair and table structure, including a vertical panel, chairs on opposite sides of the panel extending outwardly therefrom in opposite directions and facing each other, said panel being disposed in substantially the same plane throughout, and being connected to and of a length to form an inner side for each of the chairs, and table top forming means disposed at the upper portion of the panel and having ends extending outwardly from opposite sides of the panel to lie opposite to the respective chairs, the opposite sides of the table top forming means having portions offset from each other and away from the seats of the respective chairs, whereby to provide for movement of the occupants into and out of seating position.

2. A chair and table structure in accordance with claim 1, wherein there is an ash tray carried by the upper end of the vertical panel, and where'- in the table top forming means has "an opening in which the ash tray is received, and also has means engaging the panel to hold the table top forming means against turning movements.

3. A chair and table structure, including a vertical panel having a chair secured to each of its sides, the chairs, extending in opposite directions from the panel and facing each other, an ash tray carried by the top of the panel, a table forming means having an opening to receive the ash tray, and means carried by the table top forming means and engaging the panel for detachably securing the table top forming means to the panel.

4. A chair and table structure in accordance with claim 3, wherein the ash tray is removable from the top of-the panel and wherein a handle is connected to the table top forming means, and which in part overlies the top of the ash tray to prevent removal of the latter when the table top forming means is in position.

JOHN H. POLLARD. 

